Johnny Boychuk has flown back to Boston for “personal reasons,” according to the Bruins. It is believed he is going home for the birth of twins that he and his wife are expecting.

The B’s defenseman played in Thursday night’s 4-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings and made a key turnover early in the game that led to a Jeff Carter first-period goal. But he wasn’t with the team at their Friday practice in San Jose.

With Boychuk headed home, the Bruins will be short another defenseman for Saturday night's game against the Sharks in the finale of their California road trip. Kevan Miller will probably take Boychuk's place, after sitting out Thursday’s loss to the Kings. Miller had 10:19 of ice time in Tuesday’s loss to the Ducks.

Boychuck, 29, has 2 goals and 11 points in 41 games this season along with a plus-15 rating, and had been paired with Matt Bartkowski over the last few games. Boychuk’s temporary absence leaves the Bruins with another big hole along their blueline as they scramble to fill the absence of Dennis Seidenberg for the rest of the season.